Anyone else fascinated by The later Roman Republic?

I certainly am. In writing a series of books for young adult readers, I've become immersed in the beginning of the first century BCE - the aftermath of the battle of Vercellae. Originally, I wrote a short story for a class taught by Orson Scott Card, and when he said the story was a young adult novel - to expand it and send it out- I was trapped into doing the necessary research. Of course, I was hooked. In the series, Getorix is a Celtic captive from the battle and Marius is the evil force behind the plot. The "rebellion" around the elections of 100 BCE provided a wonderful framework for the second book. From there, I've just followed the threads forward and backward as the plots weave together.

It barely touches on the late Roman Empire but whets my curiosity about it more.

I also read the biography of Cleopatra published a few years ago. It's just fascinating history although, from the little I know, the lifestyles and values of the leaders of the time were often repulsive.

love ancient history

came together.